The officer, on hearing the words of the king departed without delay in quest of the fool, and having arrived at the village, he sent again for the starost, and said to him:
“Here is money for you, buy all that is necessary for a good dinner to-morrow, invite Emelian, and when he is dining with you ply him with drink until he falls under the table.”
The starost, knowing that he was sent by the
king, did not dare to disobey him, but purchased all that was necessary, and invited the fool. Emelian having promised to come, the officer expected him with great joy; and the fool coming the next day, they plied him so hard with drink that Emelian lay down and fell dead asleep. The officer, seeing that he was asleep, immediately ordered his kabitka to be got ready, and to draw up to the door, and when it drew up they placed the fool in it. After that the officer got into the kabitka, and carried him straight to the court. The ministers forthwith gave information to the king of the arrival of the officer, and the king no sooner heard of it than he gave orders for a great barrel to be well fenced with iron hoops, which was forthwith done, and the barrel was brought to the king, who, seeing that all was ready, ordered his daughter and the fool to be placed in the barrel, and the barrel to be covered with
pitch. No sooner had this been done than he commanded the barrel to be cast into the sea, and was forthwith obeyed. The king then returned to his palace, and the barrel, abandoned to its fate, floated about for some hours. The fool all this time was asleep; awaking, however, at last, and perceiving that he was in darkness, he asked of himself—“Where am I?” for he imagined that he was alone.
“You are in a barrel, Emelian,” said the princess; “and they have placed me with you.”
“And who are you?” asked the fool.
“I am the king’s daughter,” she replied; and then she related on what account she had been placed in the barrel with him.
Thereupon she begged him to deliver himself and her from the barrel. But the fool made no other reply than—
“I am warm enough here.”